2013 ram 1500 Reviews and News

Driving the 2013 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 can make you feel foolish. It happened when we pulled up to a U-Haul dropoff location that was twinned with a tire shop in North Palm Springs, California. Here the men work throughout the long, torrid summer without benefit of air-conditioning. Their best comfort comes from the savor of Mexican food being prepared at the joint next door.

Meanwhile, we were in this opulent Ram pickup. It was dual-zone air-conditioned to a fare-thee-well, of course. When we told the U-Haul proprietor about the heated-and-ventilated front and heated rear seats and the heated steering wheel, and then showed him all the leather, wood, and chrome that brought the price to $53,150, he almost lost his carnitas.

Adding significance to the moment, the Ram’s air springs automatically compensated for the sudden lack of trailer weight, issuing the peculiar clicking sound of self-leveling. Our friend’s amazement multiplied. We repeated what Ram spokesman Nick Cappa had asserted: an upper price limit has yet to be found on pickups. Someone who spends a lot of time in his truck wants it loaded with such amenities as a sunroof and the indispensable backup camera. Indeed, the interior of this Ram was handsomely appointed, and its dashboard-mounted rotary e-shifter replaces a traditional lever, which allows the center console to be exclusively devoted to storage and convenience, more or less like a Tesla Model S.

“There’s a guy out there that needs a truck, and he lives in Texas,” Cappa said. “He’s not going to drive a $90,000 Mercedes.” Pickups with the highest content level spend the least amount of time on the dealership’s lot, he explained. “When you have a $70,000 trailer and a $250,000 horse in it, the truck’s the cheapest part of the equation.”

Too pretty to be a truck, our Ram had gleaming 20-inch wheels inside low-rolling-resistance tires, glittering chrome bumpers, and a scowling face that was a pleasure to see each morning from the house. Yet the Ram still worked like a truck. It dragged 3000 to 3500 pounds of cargo trailer and household effects as easily as a locomotive drags a dinner train. Equipped with the 395-hp 5.7-liter V-8 and an eight-speed automatic transmission, the latter being one of numerous upgrades for 2013, it impressively returned 15 mpg on the highway while towing. Even Queen Charlotte’s sedan chair couldn't have provided better ride quality. And when traffic abruptly halted, the four-wheel disc brakes nonchalantly brought the whole enchilada to an authoritative stop.

We loved driving this Ram. The electrically assisted power steering was particularly impressive, with real heft and nice on-center feel. Ram says the truck’s new frame increases stability and decreases noise, vibration, and harshness. Does it ever! Our Ram held its line in sweeping turns and proceeded over rough patches with the placidity of an order of monks. The experience inside the roomy cabin was tranquil and refined. We were always aware of the engine, but in a good way, and when we cranked up the beats on the sound system, the engine’s murmur disappeared. Special praise is reserved for the Uconnect infotainment device, which is dead simple to use, and for the superbly designed driver’s info display.

But never mind the well-crafted dashboard covering, which is of a quality that you’ve probably never seen in a pickup: fuel economy is the big story, and Ram took an uncompromising approach to it. Besides the electric steering, this carefully sculpted Ram was set up with active aerodynamics (shutters behind the grille automatically open and close) and self-adjusting ride height. (We delighted in the “aero” indicator on the driver’s display.) The eight-speed tranny is a major advance, always choosing the right ratio and engaging it smoothly. Full manual control is available via two buttons on the steering wheel’s right spoke. Yet for all the powertrain’s suppleness, a dip into the accelerator produces ferocity. Used sensibly, the Hemi V-8 will ultimately achieve 15/21 mpg; used promiscuously, it will require another $100 bill in your pocket, especially with the optional 32-gallon fuel tank.

The Crew Cab body would not only accommodate 2 Live Crew, it would also make them forget their customary preoccupations. The 5-foot, 7-inch bed limits cargo capacity, but a 6-foot, 4-inch bed is available with the Crew Cab. The shortcomings that come with the shorter bed are sagely addressed, though. For one thing, the rear seatbacks fold forward, adding interior capacity. For another, the RamBox cargo management, a $1295 option, includes a bed divider that also serves as a bed extender when the tailgate is down.

Lest we sound too gushing, we did note a few minor issues. While the dash-mounted e-shift knob has overwhelming merits, we kept grabbing it when we wanted to change the radio’s volume. Additionally, we detest the lower-body cladding that’s supposed to make pickups classy, and our Ram had plenty of it. The hood is made of aluminum to save weight, but it didn’t fit perfectly. Finally, as long as attention is given to the cargo bed’s usefulness, an integrated rear-bumper step would be hard to beat, especially when the air suspension puffs up the truck in ultimate offroad mode and the open tailgate is 36.9 inches from the ground.

We also wonder if all the chrome is practical. Driving on anything but pavement with those bright wheels could be foolhardy. But put the whole package together, and our Ram showed that parent company Chrysler has its act together, just as we saw when we sampled the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, another Chrysler product.

This 2013 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4x4 brought razzmatazz to a nitty-gritty tire shop and cantina in the Mojave Desert. To the average guy out there at the job site or the sawmill, it brings glamor that will not be regretted.

Maybe the Lincoln Blackwood wasn’t such a stretch after all. Maybe the notion of a pickup truck that’s as much luxury car as it is utility vehicle has more credence than the Lincoln’s one-year run suggests. Maybe the Blackwood -- with its $53,000 price tag, air springs, and trunk in place of the bed -- was simply ahead of its time. Because starting this fall, you can buy a 2013 Ram 1500 that feels strangely reminiscent of the 2002 Lincoln.

While the Blackwood was one of the greatest automotive flops since the Edsel, we expect things to work out far better for the Ram. For one, the Ram is an established truck targeting a proven market. Secondly, the clever RamBox storage bins, air suspension, and sticker prices that stretch well beyond $50,000 are all optional here. The Blackwood’s demise was brought on by the fact that it was offered in one impractical form, with seating for four, rear-wheel drive, black paint, and a carpeted bed. The Ram, like any proper pickup truck, is offered in hundreds, maybe even thousands, of configurations with a lengthy list of cab sizes, bed lengths, drivetrains, engines, and convenience features. If you want a bare-bones work truck, the folks at Ram are happy to oblige.

Our obsession with the high-end versions is rooted in the fact that the Ram really distances itself from the competition when it’s loaded with optional equipment. Ever since its 2009 redesign, the Ram has carved itself a niche as a gentleman’s truck -- a truck for owners who can comfortably admit they move people more often than they move a stack of pressure-treated southern yellow pine. While the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado duke it out in a blue-collar bar brawl, the third-place Ram is sipping cognac in the corner and looking on in disdain. The 2009 Ram 1500 introduced truck owners to radical concepts like the interior doesn’t need to be made out of melted Legos, and you shouldn’t have to dump 300 pounds of dirt into the bed for the ride to be civil. For 2013, a thorough mid-cycle update delivers even more comfort, luxury, and technology. The Ram 1500 can now be had with an eight-speed automatic transmission, a more powerful V-6 engine, air springs, fuel-saving auto stop-start, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an 8.4-inch touch-screen infotainment system.

Sixes with eights and eights with sixes

Stepping down into the world of $30,000 trucks, the Ram receives a significant upgrade as the 3.6-liter V-6 replaces the tired 3.7-liter unit. Also found in vehicles such as the Chrysler 200, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Dodge Caravan, this engine has a higher output in the Ram -- 305 hp and 269 lb-ft -- than in other applications. It’s strong and smooth with particularly lively performance at about 4000 rpm.

Sharing the spotlight with the new V-6 is its new eight-speed automatic transmission. Chrysler engineers have clearly learned a few things since first installing the ZF-supplied transmission in the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. Those cars used a final-drive ratio designed to maximize highway fuel economy, and the eight-speed’s broad ratio spread was largely wasted. The calibration left the transmission hesitant to downshift and throttle response was tepid, making passing and part-throttle acceleration particularly underwhelming. It appears that the Ram team heard our complaints, because the same powertrain is far livelier in this pickup. Single-gear downshifts happen earlier on slight uphill grades and full-throttle kickdown occurs much quicker. Driving an unloaded, crew-cab Tradesman model through Nashville streets and Tennessee interstate, we enjoyed satisfying acceleration, smooth shifts, and agreeable logic.

Tuning for drivability hasn’t compromised fuel economy, either. At 17/25 mpg with rear-wheel drive, the Ram is able to claim the best fuel economy of any full-size truck. There’s also an HFE package (HFE stands for high fuel economy) that adds engine start-stop to squeeze out one additional mpg in the city, but it’s an option that you’ll only be interested in if you have a heavy environmental conscience. Start-stop can induce unpleasant shudders when the engine restarts and the HFE package can only be had on a regular-cab, rear-wheel-drive Rams. We’re told there’s also an HFE model in the works for Hemi-powered trucks, but we doubt the effect will be any greater than what you get on the V-6 version.

The 4.7-liter V-8 remains in the lineup, but it’s largely there to satisfy stingy fleets and small businesses that require towing power. In fact, the entry-level Tradesman model comes with the 4.7-liter engine while the V-6 engine is a $1000 upgrade. Consumers looking for eight-cylinder power will want to lie, steal -- whatever it takes, really -- to get their hands on the burly 5.7-liter Hemi. Early 2013 Hemis will come with six-speed gearboxes, but the eight-speed becomes standard in the first couple months of 2013. While calibration of that transmission isn’t yet finished, we were granted a drive in a pre-production model. Shift timing and throttle responsiveness were dialed in, but there was some room to smooth out shift quality. Still, the eight-speed injected new life into what has been a great engine held back by a mediocre five-speed automatic. Where the outgoing Hemi truck was undeniably strong but not particularly quick, the driver now feels all 395 hp and 407 lb-ft of torque when indulging in full-throttle acceleration.

Aired up

Since 2009, all Ram 1500 models have ridden on coil springs rather than traditional leaf springs. These wound steel springs are the key to Ram’s uniquely comfortable ride and we swear by them. For 2013, the ride gets even better when you add air springs (a $1595 option). Available on all quad- and crew-cab trim levels, the air suspension allows four inches of ride-height adjustability. Two off-road modes can add up to two inches of ground clearance to the standard height while park mode brings the truck two inches closer to the ground. There’s also a mode that automatically lowers the truck at highway speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag. The real reason to spend the extra money, though, is if you intend to haul or tow heavy loads. The air suspension includes a self-leveling feature that will lift the rear end back to normal ride height roughly twenty seconds after a load has been placed on the rear axle.

All 2013 Rams have traded the hydraulic power steering for electric power steering in the interest of improving fuel economy and simplifying manufacturing. The Ram’s tiller is precise and we’re largely willing to write the Ram a free pass on steering feel and weight, being a truck and all. Yet we’d be lying if we didn’t say that it all feels a bit overboosted. It’s strange to pilot such a large, heavy vehicle and exert less effort than is required in some minivans. The Ram also doesn’t handle as deftly as an F-150, feeling like it has a higher center of gravity and less roll control than the Ford. On winding, Tennessee roads with lanes that were only as wide as the truck itself, the Ram felt tall, bulky, and a bit clumsy.

Toys for trucks

Inside, the Ram remains the most pleasant and luxurious pickup truck you can buy. High-end models like the Laramie and Longhorn feature supple leather seats, rich cabin materials, and high-end convenience features. New this year, a massive 8.4-inch touch-screen that’s tastefully integrated into the center stack replaces the dumpy brick-style head unit. The Uconnect system boasts attractive graphics, intuitive layouts, and quick responses. Best of all, the Garmin-based navigation that’s been integrated into other Chrysler cars has been tossed. Its elementary graphics, slow load times, and massive icons have been replaced by a far more competent, unbranded system. There’s also an option for an in-car WiFi hotspot that uses Sprint’s cellular network.

Interestingly, eight-speed trucks move the gear selector from column-mounted lever to a knob on the center stack, opening up a large storage bin for cell phones, wallets, sunglasses, and snacks. This also relocates the manual shifting controls for towing or off-roading to the front of the steering wheel where they are operated by your right thumb. It’s a bit odd, but given how infrequently you manually shift a pickup, it gets the job done.

Perhaps one of the neatest features of the Ram are the RamBox storage cubbies, the optional weather-tight bins on either side of the bed just above the wheel wells. They eat into the width of the cargo bed, but they’re also perfect for stowing and securing towing hitches, tie-downs, gloves -- even groceries. RamBox isn’t new; it debuted with the 2009 truck. But for 2013, Ram engineers have given us an item off the wish list we made after spending a year with a Ram: on most trim levels, the RamBoxes (along with the tailgate) are tied into the central locking system, so you can secure your belongings with the keyless remote.

The lux-truck lives

They may be indulgences, but we think a load-leveling air suspension, weather-tight storage boxes, and a posh interior make a lot of sense in America where buyers use their trucks for both commuting and weekend home improvement projects. Even if the price of such frivolities exceeds your budget, there’s new reason to look at the Ram. With its new V-6 engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, the Ram 1500 has the powertrains to stand up to the competition from Ford. This upscale pickup truck may draw some strong parallels with the failed Lincoln Blackwood, but there’s one area where we confidently predict the Ram will be running in the opposite direction: sales.

New For 2013

The Ram 1500 is now available with an eight-speed automatic transmission, a more powerful V-6 engine, air springs, fuel-saving automatic stop/start, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and an 8.4-inch touch-screen infotainment system.

Overview

For 2013, a thorough midcycle update to the Ram 1500 delivers even more comfort, luxury, and technology than the truck already had. A new front fascia sports vertical foglights, larger front tow-hook openings, and a larger grille. A new 3.6-liter V-6 replaces the tired 3.7-liter unit. This engine has a higher output in the Ram—305 hp and 269 lb-ft—than in other Chrysler applications. Paired with the eight-speed transmission, this strong, smooth powerplant is quite lively at about 4000 rpm. Single-gear downshifts happen early on slight uphill grades, and full-throttle kickdown occurs quickly. Even better, at 17/25 mpg with rear-wheel drive, the Ram is able to claim the best fuel economy of any full-size truck. Going from under the hood to under the body, there’s another major upgrade for 2013: an air suspension. Since 2009, all Ram 1500 models have ridden on coil springs rather than traditional leaf springs, giving the truck a comfortable ride. It gets even better when you add air springs, available on all Quad Cab and crew-cab trim levels. The new suspension allows four inches of ride-height adjustability and has a self-leveling feature that will lift the rear end back to normal ride height twenty seconds after a load has been placed on the rear axle. The 1500 has needed a refresh for a while now, and Ram delivered.

Safety

Standard features include front, knee, side, and side curtain air bags; ABS; stability and traction control; hill-start assist; and trailer-sway control. Adjustable pedals, rear park assist, and a rear backup camera are among the optional safety features.

The Ram Truck brand has teamed up with DC Entertainment to build a one-off Ram 1500 inspired by the upcoming movie "Man of Steel," which follows the story of a certain Clark Kent. The truck will appear at promotional events for the movie, before being auctioned for charity later this summer.

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Warranty

Recalls

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:30

Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Summary

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 RAM 1500 trucks manufactured manufactured June 25, 2012, through December 12, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the coolant bypass valve may stick in a position that does not allow coolant to flow into the heater core. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Vehicle Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."

Consequences

Without a properly working windshield defrosting system, a buildup of mositure or ice could limit the driver's ability to see, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace replace the suspect coolant valves along with an updated calibration, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N25.

Potential Units Affected

498

Notes

Chrysler Group LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:30

Component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Summary

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured September 9, 2012, through March 5, 2013 and equipped with optional premium tail lamps. In the affected vehicles, the turn signal indicator may not flash at a double rate to give a notification to the driver of a turn signal malfunction. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Consequences

Without a warning that the turn signal is malfunctioning, the driver would continue to use the vehicle, unaware that other drivers on the road are not being notified that the vehicle is turning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Central Body Controller software, free of charge. The recall began June 27, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N35.

Potential Units Affected

17,411

Notes

Chrysler Group LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:30

Component

PARKING BRAKE

Summary

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 vehicles manufactured December 17, 2012, through January 22, 2013. The parking brake cable equalizer was set incorrectly and may not hold the vehicle on a 20% grade. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the parking brake performance requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequences

If the parking brake fails to operate as designed, the vehicle could roll when parked, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reset the parking brake cable equalizer if required, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N22.

Potential Units Affected

6,574

Notes

Chrysler Group LLC

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:30

Component

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL

Summary

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 RAM 1500 4x4 trucks manufactured June 26, 2012, through February 5, 2013. Due to a software issue with the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) module, the ESC system may be disabled when the vehicle is started.

Consequences

A disabled ESC system may result in loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ESC module software, free of charge. The recall began on September 11, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N37.

The transmission output shaft fracture could result in a loss of power, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the parking brake is not applied before exiting the vehicle, the vehicle may roll away despite the transmission being placed in 'Park'.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the transmissions, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2014. Customers may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is N65.

Exploitation of the software vulnerability may result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation. In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This measure may not have been implemented on all vehicles and does not address access by other means that will be remedied by the software update. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R40.

Potential Units Affected

1,400,000

Notes

Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:50

Component

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Summary

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured June 20, 2012, to January 26, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.

Consequences

Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R23.

Potential Units Affected

667,406

Notes

Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:50

Component

SEAT BELTS

Summary

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500 trucks manufactured June 20, 2012, to January 26, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the side impact sensor calibrations may be overly sensitive, and as a result, the side air bag inflatable curtains and seat air bags may unexpectedly deploy and the seat belt pre-tensioners may activate.

Consequences

Air bags that unexpectedly deploy increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the Occupant Restraint Control module calibration, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R23.

Potential Units Affected

667,406

Notes

Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Recall Date

12-31-1969:21:35:50

Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Summary

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 trucks manufactured January 18, 2011, to October 7, 2014, and equipped with the Electronic Vehicle Information Center option. The affected vehicles have a steering wheel wiring harness that may rub against the driver air bag module retainer spring.

Consequences

This abrasion may result in an electrical short that could cause driver's frontal air bag to unexpectedly deploy. Inadvertent deployment of the air bag may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, repair as necessary, and secure the steering wheel wiring harness. Additionally, protective caps will be added to the air bag retainer spring ends. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R36.